“Painting is an autobiography”, which Stefan Baumann said on his youtube, “The Power to Improve Your Paintings by Telling A Story.” I had just fixed lunch and thought, what should I write about this painting I finished ten years ago?

Where was I in my life then?

Where am I in my life now?

 How does that all apply to this moment?

 In my artistic life with my paintings,I like to think the painting and myself are one thing or an excellent friend. The image is a wise friend that shares discoveries with me. In this pastel painting, I notice two points touching each other and then flowing into the rest of the picture. Yes! that is what I just said; the creating of the painting enriches my life. We are friends and together, we discover a pearl of wisdom that neither of us could achieve alone. 
As I write, I smile more, much more to explore in this painting and my life. I am not near the end but the journey is clear to me that it will never end. I find these thoughts reassuring as I retired from teaching art this year at age 78 and have emerged myself in the act of creating art and life—what a beautiful gift this practice of being an artist.